LBT amnesty scheme : Nagpur Traders welcome move

Nagpur: When any pro-welfare scheme is launched by the government, it gets overwhelming response by the general populace. In the latest decision taken in a Cabinet meeting held on May 12, 2015, the Maharashtra State Government has decided to approve the Amnesty Scheme for the traders to pay their Local Body Tax without the fear of paying any penalty or interest on the LBT dues.

In a joint statement made by President of Vidarbha Taxpayers Association (VTA) J P Sharma and Secretary of Vidarbha Taxpayers Association Tejinder Singh Renu, claimed that the trade community wholeheartedly welcomes the announcement of LBT amnesty scheme.

It is indeed a big relief for those traders and shopkeepers who have not paid their Local Body Tax (LBT). The Vidarbha Taxpayers Association also thanked the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for announcing amnesty scheme for such traders to pay their LBT without fear of paying a fine or facing punishment.

Sharma requested such traders and shopkeepers to avail this scheme well in time because it will run from July 1, 2015 to July 31, 2015 this year and Traders who will approach the government after 31st July will not be given amnesty.

Tejinder Singh Renu

Tejinder Singh Renu expressed this as another fulfillment of assurance by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

With each and almost daily decisions by State Government in public interest, citizens faith has grown manifolds. I am extremely proud of our Chief Minister who with constant changes in procedures has become exemplary for other State Governments.

Former President of NVCC and President of Federation of Associations of Maharashtra Dipen Agrawal said that during the recent visit to Nag Vidarbha Chamber of Commerce, Nagpur, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had announced that the government is launching an Amnesty Scheme for the traders to pay their Local Body Tax without the fear of paying any penalty or interest on the LBT dues. Dipen Agrawal claimed that the State Government has taken one more step forward in the favour of the trade and business community. He claimed that this Amnesty Scheme was approved in a Cabinet Meeting held on May 12, 2015.

Dipen said that this is a welcome move and is wholeheartedly welcomed by the traders in the city. He said that all those traders who had not registered or have not paid the LBT for whatever reasons will come forward and avail this opportunity and will pay their LBT. He added that in lieu of the fact that the LBT is slated to be abolished from August 1, 2015, the traders are getting an opportunity to fulfill their obligation under the acts and rules of LBT by paying the Prinicpal Amount and getting the interest and penalty waived. Dipen Agrawal said that FAM and NVCC had proposed this scheme to the government and finally has been approved by the CM. They thank him for a pro-trader stance and this scheme.

President of Nag Vidarbha Chamber of Commerce Mayur Panchmatia claimed that the Amnesty Scheme idea has been theirs and that their Nag Vidarbha Chamber of Commerce (NVCC) and Federation of Associations of Maharashtra (FAM) had proposed this scheme to the government.

This proposal has finally been accepted and approved by the State government. However, Mayur Panchmatia added that there is some doubts that still lingers in the minds of some traders that if they make their LBT payments, will the local government initiate enquiries and investigate?

Mayur Panchmatia claimed that with the duress of NVCC, many traders who were reluctant to pay the LBT dues will definitely avail this opportunity and pay their dues. Since LBT is levied only on the Entry of goods, many traders will pay if off. Mayur Panchmatia also claimed that this scheme will benefit the government too.

While speaking exclusively with Nagpur Today, Assistant Municipal Commissioner (Octroi) Milind Meshram said that he learnt about this amnesty scheme only through the media. However, he claimed that they have not received any official notification to this effect as yet. When he called his sources in the Ministry, he was told that an official notification will take almost 8 days. Therefore he will not be able to comment of the Amnesty Scheme without reading the document and the amnesty offered therein.

Nagpur Today made an effort to find out from some traders which included small Kirana Shops to others who well dealing with costly electronic goods. Most of the traders did not want their names quoted anywhere in relation to LBT for reasons best known only to them. Some claimed that they are not importing anything from outside so they are just filling nill returns, while others claimed that their chartered accountants calculate the amount and ask them to pay the amount which they duly have been paying.